But he was too young and too healthily tired to
dream.
This soddenthing, so feeble and yet so
precious!
Sometimes she tripped down the convolutions
andwhorls till the eyes dazzled.
Peter viewed theconvoy with no friendly eye. Very
smallhe looked as his figure grew dim in the brume. They would sleep the night, no
doubt, in theIslip tithe-barn.
He got the view and something more, something which
sent him racingback to Creevey.
It quivered and moved, but at first it seemedas if
it were too deep-rooted to fall.
Seven magpies in one day mustportend something
great. He concealed his movements going and coming as if hispurpose had been crime.
Peter sighed at this glimpse of the unattainable. A dozen plans flitted through his
brain as he dragged Creevey downthe gully. It quivered and moved, but at first it
seemedas if it were too deep-rooted to fall.
Suddenly they came to a point which Adam
remembered.
Also, being a scholar, he respected auspices. The
scholar, whose days were spent among books, felthimself within hail of the pomp of
life. He would be shut off himself fromreaching the valley. Creevey heard thewords,
but he did not see the look on the others face.
The air was thick with dust andsnow, and Adam,
perched above the abyss, was for a moment blinded.
From those eyes he seemed to draw youth and peace
andimmortality. The others rode cloakless in the warm evening. The snow has stopped,
and you will see where thetrack runs. Peter fetched water from thespring among the
bracken, and washed off the dirt of centuries. But it did not need the weapons to
proclaimthat this was no servant. Let me view your countenance that I may knowit
when I meet it again.
And, as he looked, he saw the seventh
magpie.
The Floor had a sheen on it, so that the colours
were lost in aglimmer of silver.
They were on bluewater running out to where the
afternoon sun made a great dazzle ofgold.
He grunted, and picked up what seemed to be abook
which had fallen to the ground.
One of the blind eyes and dumb mouthsthat have
Oxford for their stepmother. IN WHICH PETER EMERGES INTO THE LIGHTVII. There were
figures on it,moving fast like plover in a spring plough.